The internet: A network of computer networks

Over the years, an open set of standards evolved in support of the Internet called the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (or TCP/IP) which enables different computers with different operating systems to connect, talk and share information with one another easily and reliably.

If we consider that most government departments, commercial organisations and academic institutions have computer networks that share information and data amongst their users, then what the Internet does is to provide a way for these computer networks to connect to one another and to share the information each of them holds in store.

This is irrespective of what type of computer or operating system is involved. In other words, any person or company with access to the Internet, also has access to the wealth of information stored on all of these millions of networks that are linked together around the world by the Internet.

TCP/IP: The universal open standard of the Internet